Electric Lightwave Inc. files with Oregon PUC to force local competition in Portland.

VANCOUVER, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 26, 1996--Electric Lightwave Inc. (ELI) filed a motion Friday, Feb. 23, to compel U S WEST Communications to comply with the terms of a recent decision by the Oregon Public Utilities Commission.

The decision requires U S WEST to interconnect with new entrants, like Electric Lightwave, under the same terms and conditions as it currently does with other independent telephone companies in the state.

In recent meetings with Electric Lightwave, U S WEST stated that it is not willing to negotiate an interim interconnection agreement consistent with the PUC's order. U S WEST is only willing to negotiate a comprehensive agreement under the terms of the recently passed Telecommunications Act of 1996.

"Oregon has taken bold steps to address local telephone competition. There is nothing in the Federal Act which overrules existing state policy. U S WEST's actions can only be interpreted one way: as a conscious effort to slow-roll competition in Oregon. U S WEST's position will lead to substantial delays in providing consumers with competitive alternatives not only in Oregon, but in all other states that it serves," said Dave Sharkey, president of Electric Lightwave.

ELI owns and operates fiber optic telecommunications networks in the western U.S., including Oregon. ELI has been providing competitive telecommunications services in Oregon for more than five years.

The company is a recognized leader in offering consumers state-of-the-art telecommunications services at competitive prices. ELI's presence in the market also provides consumers the option to obtain the diverse and redundant network facilities, critical to many businesses participating in today's global information age.

CONTACT: Lori DeMatteis, 360/604-5362